smoke. >> witnesses say a man wearing a ballistic helmet, bulletproof vest, and a gas mask tossed two smoke canisters into the packed theater. >> i guess it was a gas canister. it harder to read. in less than two seconds of it going off, the gunshots started happening. >> the gunman, identified as 24- year-old james holmes, earned his cache of guns on to the crowd. >> when the chaos in did, 12 people were dead, 59 injured. >> they appear to be of a high caliber. >> he had two high caliber pistols and an assault rifle. apparently surrendered without putting up a fight, warning

officers that the movie theater was booby trapped with explosives. >> there were some incendiary elements. there were linked together with all kinds of wires. >> as the investigation continues at his apartment and the theater, his family in san diego has released a written statement which reads in part "our hearts go out to the families of those affected in this tragedy." people like jessica, an aspiring sportscaster who recently moved from san antonio, texas to denver. so many struggling to understand how and why. >> that tragedy is a reminder of a 2006 incident locally where a man was shot and killed. barry simms continues our live team coverage tonight. >> the same type of questions

that were asked back then are being asked again now. as police in aurora, colorado investigate the mass killings, they are also looking for clues. >> it is sad. i don't understand why that sentiment shot all those people. it's senseless. it is a senseless killing to me. >> christina and her son alex are going to see the new batman movie. safety did become a concern. >> i was concerned about it, but i'm like, you know -- that could happen anywhere. i just hope that it bang >> -- i just hope that it don't happen. >> rob is a security and crisis management expert. >> we have to look at the

ramifications. >> some of the questions were from 2006. a gunman opened fire in 01 smell's. of 15-year-old was shot and killed. they said at the time, the gunman planned the attack for months. once it was over, and he placed the gun on the counter and waited for police to arrive. he was committed to a state psychiatric facility. >> i do not think there is a great answer for any of this. is that going to stop us from going out? i think the worst thing we can do is be overwhelmed by the paranoia of going out and enjoying ourselves. honestly, you got to be paying very strict attention to your surroundings.

>> bob is a security and executive protection experts. he says you need to have an action plan. >> i am always thinking what if. stay low, keep your loved ones down, as soon as you hear the sound of gunfire or anything like that, you really have to have a game plan established. many times, hunkering down, staying on the ground, not making any sounds or whatever would be the case, and trying to, again, decide what the next move is going to be. if you have to think about it, it's too late. >> because of the incident in colorado, many movie theaters are banning costumes. police are increasing patrols at movie theaters. and we will talk to the widow of paul shrumm.

she says her hearts go out to those who were killed and also to the survivors. the survivors, she says, because it will never be the same. >> no costumes where your face will be covered will be allowed in any amc theater. nothing that even looks like a weapon, a toy or not. you can see more pictures, here from more witnesses, and have late breaking up days that are still coming in on our website wbaltv.com. tonight, a special live edition of dateline from iraq, colorado. that starts tonight. -- r rut, colorado. -- aurora, colorado . >> last night, we have flooding going on. storms have produced one to 2

inches of rain around the area. hd doppler just picking up a couple of sprinkles now. maybe some of this will cross the mountains and we will get heavier rain later on this evening. flood watch in effect. take a look at the forecast. we see the chance for showers up until about midnight. then it will taper off. temperatures will hold steady. it will stay there through tomorrow morning. this area is one of the hardest hit. lolcat, what does a look -- lowell, what does it look like? >> this is one of the many low- lying areas around the city prone to flooding. because of that, city and state transportation officials are reminding folks not to drive through standing water. as we found dead today, learned

something new, don't walk through it either. [thunder] >> it was a double whammy of storms to hit the baltimore area. as far as flash flooding was concerned, the first storm was kane, putting down as much as 2 inches to 4 inches of rain. >> southbound, the lane ramp tends to flood out. >> state transportation officials say they did not see anything unusual as far as flooding. there was flooding at the johns hopkins hospital ambulance entry. >> we were able to respond to downed trees and high water. >> state highway officials were also busy thursday night,

dealing with a couple of closures and flooding of state roads. luckily, they say, no lives were put in jeopardy because of standing water and they remind motorists to use caution. >> it looks like you might get through, and you could easily be taken away, your entire vehicle. you want to try a different route. additionally, if you cannot see, this ability is really bad, try a different route. >> and reminders for pedestrians if they think they can walk through flooded streets. >> you could actually stepped into an open manhole and fall in. we do not advise pedestrians to walk across the street. >> there were a couple of manhole covers that popped out of the st.. another thing we learned -- because of this flash flooding

and high winds, 7000 people lost power. most if not all of that power has been restored. news.live, wbal tv 11 >> thank you. we received storm pictures from many of you who saw damage and flooding last night. this is just south of ocean city. that is not the ideal camping experience, that's for sure. you can check more on our smart phone app. dwi thurgood marshall gets a grant for another upgrade, this time to upgrade its runways. the grant is from the u.s. department of transportation, and that is meant to bring it up to federal aviation association safety standards. they are also working to renovate the terminal as well. that project is expected to be

completed by summer 2013. >> it is a baltimore original free festival celebrating the arts and it has been going on now for three decades. >> there is only one artsgate. >> it all started 41 years ago. in those three decades, artscape has become america's largest free art festival. over 150 vendors are selling all kinds of it unique food and art. howl in the world, -- how in the world did you start making art out of forks? >> boredom. is given enough time, i can make

anything. >> tell me what this is and how he made it. >> this is called iron bonsai. no heat, no tools. a rtscape moved for director of st.. there's a ferris wheel. and here is something you do not see every day. cory johnson -- port-a-johns covered in yarn. >> we call it yarn bombing. they do it all over the world. yarn bombing the port =a- potties. >> the stage is being set up for today's concert. there are big names. >> we have brian mcknight. it is a great mix of music.

>> for patrons to come every year, there is nothing like it. >> you can have a good time, look at the art, go by art. >> i love it. everyone has an expression. >> there is something for everybody here. there is even cold beer. >> wbal tv 11 news. >> and no one mentioned the great food there. >> i was going to say. >> great food. >> of next, a request from the attorneys of unmanned. >> plus, a fashionable, but necessary. howell one mom came up with a simple way to help her daughte

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a man accused of killing his ex- girlfriend is asking a judge to suspend a wrongful death lawsuit. it is a $30 million lawsuit filed in april. if the civil case goes to trial before the criminal case is finalized, is protection against self-incrimination could be violated. he was convicted of second- degree murder and grand larceny. he is seeking a new trial in the criminal case. a military judge issues an new ruling in the weeks case. the judge said any damage to your security due to -- u.s. security due to the release of documents is irrelevant because of the 2012 charges against bradley manning. the prosecution is also barred from presenting evidence of harm during the trial phase.

if man is convicted, the defense would be cut off at the knees if lawyer cannot talk about harmed during the trial. >> in tonight's medical alert, a new study predicts women who have trouble sleeping at night -- that as many women -- -- could end up in an assisted living facilities. older women who will often during the night have higher odds of going to a nursing home than women who got more rest and sleep. they cannot prove a direct link, but researchers say it warrants further study. a young woman who has diabetes has her mother to thank for helping her stay active. the washington resident came up with a way to help her daughter bawsca saw -- say normal. -- stay normal. >> talk to her for a few

minutes -- >> i am 8 years old. >> and you can learn a lot about her. she has a secret. >> i am able to do cartwheels. and -- >> the fashion meets function pocket was her mom's idea. >> i just wanted to do something that would make her feel like everybody else. >> and it seems to work. you would never know this little girl with type 1 diabetes has an insulin pump attached to her abdomen. >> i want her to run and jump and played will vote without worrying about it falling off, because it falls off. >> with the help of friends and family, she came up with a line called riley's pocket.

they can be worn as an undershirt. >> she goes to school, and they are light -- like "what?" >> after a disappointing died noticed a year ago, she has come full circle. >> it is for everyone. >> very cute idea. they are hoping to raise enough money to provide these to a diabetes' camp for kids. you can purchase these online. you'll find a link on our website -- wbaltv.com. click on mayra -- medical alert. >> now your forecast. >> we were talking about big thunderstorms across the area. this evening, things have settled down. there are a few sprinkles and baltimore city right now. there is some heavier stuff out in the mountains. there is a line of storms we're

watching coming out of ohio. if things altogether, there's a possibility we could get minor flooding again later on tonight. as it crosses over the mountains, we will have a very stable air mass over baltimore. we of have showers, and that is not conducive to creating energy in the atmosphere. my sense is that this will fall apart a little bit. we will pick up between 1 inches and 4 inches of rain. we have over 3 inches. and carroll county, they have some flooding. a flood watches in effect for everybody west of the chesapeake bay. -- a flood watch is in effect for everybody west of the chesapeake bay. from baltimore on north right now, in the 70's and even 60's

in pennsylvania. south of town, it is in the 80's. 73 at the airport. 70 degrees and was mr.. the forecast tonight -- mostly cloudy skies. maybe a thunderstorm. the temperatures will drop into the upper 60's and low 70's. mixture of clouds and sunshine. the best chance will be in the morning. the high temperatures are between 79 and 84 degrees. seven-day forecast looks like this. sunday will be a nice day. low humidity. comfortable temperatures. another front is going to come through next tuesday with showers and thunderstorms. that will not the temperatures right back into the 80's again. overall, a decent weekend. not the worst you've ever seen, but your kids can go outside and

play. >> dozens of people hurt in a theater shooting in colorado. >> tragically some of them are dead tonight. we have reaction from washington. >> a starling cl

>> if you are guilty of killing your house will plants -- household plants, we have a solution. >> growing plants without soil. it's called hydroponics. >> in his columbia warehouse -- he is growing trees with a porous substance. >> the roots grow into this. >> use frustrated by his inability to keep the stone house pets alive. so, he did some research.

not a new idea, but not easy to find. in fact, he had to get all the materials from europe. >> the plants live longer. is totally clean. you fertilize once every four months. >> and you never have to worry about watering. each plant comes with its own water gage indicator. >> this tells you exactly when and how much to water up plants. >> and three years, he has turned his hobby into a booming business. >> nursing homes, medical centers. we recently got children's national medical center in washington, d.c. >> no fun does come up a stronger oxygen-producing -- fungus, a stronger oxygen- producing plant. he has partnered with a fund-

raising site for approved created projects, with all payments going through amazon. >> everything has been usually discounted. we're using a beautiful ceramic container. we're using agriculture plants. we're giving you a fertilizer for a week. we can go above and beyond our goals. and we can really kickstart hydra culture and the united states and do something we really should have been doing for the last 40 years in this country. >> he hopes the idea will really take off. wbal-tv 11 news. >> interesting. >> very interesting. >> the student loan crisis. + -- >> after the tragedy in colorado, president obama and mitt romney addressed the nation. that story is coming up. >> after 17 months, the assad's

>> live, local, late breaking. you are watching wbal-tv 11 news at 5:00 hd with -- 11 news continues now. >> 12 people shot and killed, 59 other adults and children hurt

as a gunman opens fire and a call wrote theater showing the latest batman movie. the 24-year-old gunman through two smoke canisters into the packed theater and unloaded with a shotgun and a handgun into the crop. obviously starving news for the entire country, but especially those -- startling news for the entire country, but especially those who went to see the midnight movie. >> it could have been on us. it could happen anywhere. >> i just feel devastated. >> investigators believe that james holmes acted alone. meanwhile, the presidential candidates pause their campaigns. >> brian more has that story from washington. >> this was expected to be a day of pointed personal

political attacks. it was not. president obama and mitt romney put aside their differences and their campaigns to speak as one in the colorado shooting rampage. >> it is a tragedy that reminds us of all the ways we are united as one american family. >> this is a time for each of us to look into our hearts and remember, to love one another. >> the president curtailed a campaign visit to florida, and both candidates and their wives canceled events. >> i stand before you today as -- not as a man running for office, but as a father and grandfather, a husband, and an american. >> they both spoke from the heart. >> michele and i had the fortune to hug our little girls a little tighter tonight, and i'm sure you will do the same with your children. >> there will be justice for

those responsible. that's another matter for another day at. today is a moment to grieve and to remember. >> at the end of the day, we will remember will be those we love to and what we did for others. that's why we are here. >> from opposite ends of the political spectrum, two leaders come together to comfort the stunned nation. in washington, brian moore, wbal-tv 11 news. >> and of course there are late breaking up is coming in. on our website, you can hear from all witness who thought it was a prank. >> in the education alert tonight, the federal government is comparing the student loan crisis to the subprime mortgage crisis in which many people lost

their homes. are now, there are $250 billion in in outstanding loans. >> the u.s. department of education and the consumer financial protection bureau are looking to congress for relief, relief for high interest college loans. the students are tying up loose ends. they are signing up for class and trying to figure out how they will pay college bills. some have to take out loans. >> a lot of students are having trouble paying off their loans. >> do this can weigh their options. >> we always recommend that students applied for the federal loans first. they have a much lower interest rate then private loans. >> they are recommending that lenders take a closer look at

how ceylons may be discharged through bankruptcy. >> i mean, if you cannot afford it, you should be allowed to ask for the money. >> we have been looking into scholarships and grants, financial aid. hopefully it all works out. >> in many cases, parents help pick up the tabs of some of those unpaid college luntz. it is a burden most are unwilling to bear. >> it is a struggle. but our children are an investment in the future. >> everyone is struggling. they're doing what they can. education is almost mandatory to get anywhere nowadays. i think we all have to work it out. >> school financial aid counselors say that is all the more reason for students to graduate on time. >> you can read more on this

problem proposal on our website. is also connected to all new website just announced today that will allow students navigate the financial aid process. click on education alert. wbal-tv 11 news. >> thank you. new developments in the case of two missing little girls and i know what. >> and remote controlled model planes.

>> the latest now from syria. syrian forces say they have regained control after nearly a week of fighting. the west say it is a tactical withdrawal from the district. iraq officials confirmed that syria has control of one of the key areas between the two countries.

elsewhere, overseas, indonesian's began fasting and praying to zero marks the beginning of the holy month of ramadan. the government declared tomorrow as the official beginning. the difference is due to different ways of calculating. ramadan is a holy month dedicated to fasting, prayers, and good deeds, and it ends with a three-day holiday. >> authorities are keeping a closer eye on the father of one of two missing i a lot cousins. the man has a lengthy criminal -- i/o cousins. the man has a lengthy criminal history. -- iowa cousins. he is the father of a 10-year-

old to vanished. both girls have been missing since last weekend. and north american man from massachusetts pled guilty to the use of remote-controlled model planes to blow up the pentagon and u.s. capital. the 20-year-old was arrested last year after the al-qaeda member delivered materials he had requested. sentencing is set for november 1. >> still to come tonight, the end of the viacom direct tv nightmare. >> plus, you may be saying goodbye to the old-fashioned way of keeping your medical records in order. >> we will check the seven-day forecast through the weekend in a few minutes. cloudy skies. 73 at the airport.

>> coming up tonight at 6:00 -- the battle over expanded gaining. plus, many of you got quite the soaking overnight. and some of the unusual sights visitors will see. visitors will see. those stories and more

>> alright. we're in the midst of the hurricane season. which has many looking to the skies for the first signs of danger. >> we have some groups that know a thing or two about the weather. >> the lion country meteorologist says this massive white rhino can detect the rumblings of thunder a long way off. >> it can detect any vibrations in the soil. >> yet, it is the reptiles in the parts that are the best weather forecasters. >> 24 to 24 -- 24 to 48 hours ahead of time, they will mel. >> we feed her, and she will spit out the food, because she knows she will not be able to digest @. >> although they can do this

seasonal forecasts, they have the ability to hold off on laying eggs. the next when the temperature and humidity is right. >> they need 100 to 110 days of good weather. they are particularly good at telling as if we're going to have a flood. that is by how high up on the bank they it lay their eggs. >> it is a myth. girls have the same sense is that we do. if they have some way of the turtles have the same sense as we do. is there some way of knowing, that would be great. >> we see what the couple snail knows about rainfall. >> the clever little snail lays its eggs 6 inches above the waterline, but predicts that

level weeks out. >> they are way ahead of us as far as indicating what the levels are and what they should be. >> the seminal used to claim he could tell something -- seminal -- seminole used to claim he could tell something. >> i see you out there at 4:00 in the morning, tasting the soil. [laughter] >> people say my trip shouldered. that is just the flu would in your body. its expands and contracts. we would not need doppler and all that. [laughter] you the way, it works. all right, let's talk about what is happening tonight. >> we know it will rain.

>> we get soaked yesterday. we're talking about severe weather this evening. over on the left-hand side of the screen, you can see it having wister on the mountain's. and we have heavy rain coming in later tonight. we will take a look at high shower in ohio. it looks pretty impressive here. we have clouds and an often on a rain shower threat today. there is not a lot to come back to. i do not think it is going to intensify. even if we pick up another half- inch or inch of rain, obviously the ground soaked up 1 inch to four inches of rain yesterday. the high temperature at the airport? 78. net is more like it. almost 10 degrees below average. temperatures did not make it out

of the 60's across parts of pennsylvania. low 70's here at home. the cloud cover and the showers will have helped bring temperatures down. it is a rare day in july. 77 columbia. 71 degrees. forecasts for the rest of tonight -- cloudy skies. still a chance for showers and a thunderstorm. variable clouds tomorrow, but a 30% chance for a shower on friday. the best chance will be in the morning. if you want to try voting this weekend, wait -- waves are about 1 foot. if you were going to go to the beach this weekend, it will probably be raining off and on through the day. sunday looks like the best day.

monday looks really nice as well, with temperatures in the low 80's. seven-day forecast here at home. high temperatures in the mid- 80's. monday, tuesday, gets a little warmer. upper 80's. low 90's. mid-80's on wed.. >> in tonight's consumer alert, if you're headed for the beach, we have our recall to tell you about. down east concepts are recalling beach chairs. if you own one of these chairs, you should stop using its. with those to the information on our website -- wbaltv.com. click on recalls.

good news for viacom direct tv fans. 20 million subscribers did not have mtv, the daily show with jon stewart, sponge bob, just to name a few. no terms were disclosed. ok, been able to keep -- being able to keep track of your entire family's health records on your cell phone. the future is here and now. >> jennifer brown is on lunch break, checking on the health care of her 79-year-old mother. >> i can look at her lab results. through my mobile app.

>> the app is call mobile chart. >> it ties the physician and patient together in a better way. they can be engaged with the patient on an ongoing basis. >> he says the patients and those who care for children or elderly parents can use the system to view test results, talk to doctors, and more. >> you can renew a prescription and use the data. >> the doctor is the physician for jennifer's mother marlene, who has a number of ailments. >> it demonstrates the pharmacy that they utilize and the directions for the last

prescription. >> it gives you all your test results. >> and the simple tap on another mibile app is helping save lives. >> my partner pushed the button which is "request a helicopter ." >> that buttoned helped these emt's save precious minutes for a accidents -- for an accident victim in lawrence county. >> my boys had appointments with the pediatrician. they were sitting in the waiting room. they wanted to know if we are going to get shots today. i can pull their immunizations up and say no, you're not too for a shot today. >> which made the kids quite happy, i'm sure. jennifer is one of more than

100,000 users. this system is the future of medicine around the country, we're told. it is the start of the airline industry's fall season, which should mean falling prices for you. prices have been averaging 5% to 10% more than last summer. >> a starling claim about alleged ties to organized crime. is it true? the ice team gets to the bottom of those claims. -- i-team is to the bottom of those claims. and the man who has been absent from the olympics for decades.

>> and a rumpled gold medal this is looking to -- an olympic gold medalist is looking to reclaim his title of world's fastest man. >> we caught up with them before going across the pond. >> a lot has changed for justin in eight years. >> this year, it is a mission. >> a mission to get back on the podium at the olympics. after when -- after winning gold's and the 100 meters and athens, he tested positive for

steroids. now he says he is older and wiser. >> i love what i do. i have a passion for it. if you take it away from me, i'm going to fight tooth and nail. >> he finished first at his final race economic trials, earning a spot on team usa. >> the last couple of years, the usa hazmat had -- usa has not had their a-team out there. >> 12 athletes will compete in the game's. >> but it -- i think it

highlights what we do every day. grex -- >> good luck to him. that's all for us at 5:00. here's a look at what is happening in it -- at 6:00. >> a sad reminder of similar violence right here. team coverage coming up. >> heavy rains brought flash flooding to a number of areas around the greater baltimore area. i will have what you need to know, coming up. >> a sensational claim about ties to organized crime. >> live, local, late breaking, this is wbal-tv 11 news at 6:00. >> our big story at 6:00, the midnight movie massacre in colorado. >> 24-year-old james holmes

opened fire during a midnight showing of the new batman movie. is one of the worst mass shootings in u.s. history. >> stan and donna, the fbi are assisting, but right now federal authorities are not commenting on a motive. and movie massacre. >> it was during a shootout seen in the movie. >> it was just terrific. >> 24-year-old james holmes entered a crowded suburban denver theater, opening fire, shooting 71 people. >> there are no words that can express the intensity of the tragedy. >> it was a midnight premier of the new batman movie. the new batman movie.